Knotty
alder sets the tone for the Mequon kitchen by B&E General
Contractors Inc., Glendale

Cabinets are one
of the most important elements of kitchen design. Historically, wood
has been the material of choice; today 80 percent of cabinetry sold is
made of wood.

While cherry and
maple remain top choices, there are a number of other options for
consumers to choose from. "I get a lot of comparison shoppers.
Birch has become very popular," notes Brian Runde of BR Custom
Wood Craft in Wales. "It’s durable, takes stain well and is
lower priced than high-end woods like cherry." Conversely, Runde
has seen a decrease in the popularity of oak. "Many people are
tired of it and don’t like the coarse grain."

These days dark
stains are fashionable, replacing lighter colors and finishes of the
past few years. Runde’s customers and clients of Tara Blakely,
president and owner of Kitchens & Baths Expo in Germantown,
gravitate toward medium to darker colored finishes.

Although many of
Runde’s clients are swinging back toward traditional styles and away
from contemporary design, Blakely still sees a demand for simple
styling. Her customers are requesting elements like flat doors and
high-gloss finishes. She also notes, "Glazing doesn‘t seem to
be as popular anymore. It sort of comes and goes but maybe with the
economy, people are sticking with standard finishes."

Today’s
consumers aren’t just looking at aesthetics. Both Runde and Blakely
get a lot of requests for cabinet functionality. "Function of the
cabinet is as important as form. Everyone wants kitchens that are easy
to use," Blakely points out. Sliding shelves; pull-out waste
cans; warming, cooling and dishwasher drawers; and appliance garages
are popular. Glass-front cabinets are good for showing off displays or
collections that stay put and don‘t get a lot of use.

Many homeowners
are curious about "green" kitchens, although cost is a
deterrent. "‘Green’ woods like lyptus are expensive. Right
now people are sticking to more basic woods that are in stock,"
Blakely says. However, because of its renewability and sustainability
in many areas of the country, lyptus is fast becoming one of the most
requested hardwoods for cabinetry.

Type of
Wood: Cherry
Pros: Smooth, even grain; rich looking; darkens and mellows with
age
Cons: Expensive, exposure to sunlight can cause wood to redden
or darken; some sapwood, mineral streaking and pin holes